This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
Uhuru's Succession Plan Unfolds ¶
As the 2022 general election draws near, a secret plot to appoint Gideon Moi as deputy president after William Ruto's resignation is unfolding. The move, allegedly orchestrated by Uhuru Kenyatta's allies, aims to secure the presidency for the Jubilee Party leader.
According to sources, the plot involves reducing Ruto's office to a shell, cutting his budget by 87%, and designating the presidency into executive Office of the President, with Ruto as one of its senior officials with no role to play.
Insiders claim that Ruto is aware of the strategy and has devised a countermove. He plans to tender his resignation as DP late next year or early 2022, to intensify his campaigns for the presidency.
The timing of Ruto's resignation is said to be based on the fact that there is no opposition in Kenya, and he will be the face of opposition once he jumps over. Ruto is closely eyeing Raila's every move, lest he backflips to the opposition before Ruto pitches tent there and lays claim as the defender of Kenya's oppressed.
Uhuru's team fears that Ruto's candidature on Jubilee ticket will hit a brick wall, as signals point to a scenario where Uhuru will deny him the ticket. To win more public support, Ruto will cite frustrations from Jubilee and betrayal by the president, pointing out that his resignation was necessitated by the systematic reduction of his office into a shell.
The plot to appoint Gideon Moi as deputy president is said to be the brainchild of advisers close to Uhuru, headed by his younger brother, Muhoho Kenyatta. Other influential members of the strategists include former presidential adviser Nancy Gitau, Jubilee Party vice chair David Murathe, State House comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua, top intelligence service officers, and the president's uncle George Muhoho.
The clandestine plot is said to be the beginning of a wider scheme to cut Ruto to size and eventually boot him from the corridors of power. The deal between Jubilee and Kanu, signed on May 8, is a pointer of its importance and significance to the president.
On June 17, only Murathe and Tuju attended a similar function at Jubilee Party headquarters where Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Chama Cha Mashinani's Isaac Ruto inked a post-election coalition agreement with Jubilee. The absence of Muhoho and Nancy was a pointer that the Kalonzo-Ruto-Jubilee deal was of less significance to the president as compared to that of Kanu and Jubilee.
As the plot unfolds, Ruto's resignation is expected to be a calculated move to secure the presidency. The question remains, will Ruto's plan succeed, or will Uhuru's team outsmart him?
